TMC Resource Center

This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines future performance requirements of retreaded tires and tire repairs according to fleet and end user descriptions of their needs and concerns. This will include all aspects of retread tires, tire repairs, and associated maintenance issues.

Issued: March 2005

Future truck electrical/electronic systems will encompass batteries, electronics and communication systems. Today, many electronic controllers used with components such as engines, antilock brakes, transmissions, dash instrumentation and fleet-added components (such as satellite transceivers, computers, fax and printers) are permanently damaged by effects of close and direct lightning strikes.

This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines the future performance requirements of tires based on fleet/equipment user descriptions of their needs and concerns. This paper covers all aspects of new tires, retreaded tires, tire repairs, and all associated maintenance issues.

Issued: March 2005

Today’s commercial vehicles feature many ancillary electronic devices, such as recorders, computers, satellite systems, fax machines, printers, etc. In some cases, memory loss and erratic operation of electronic sub-systems has occurred due to momentary low or no voltage levels. The trucking industry has expressed the need for further enhancements to eliminate the effects of low or no voltage. Any improvements made should not adversely affect, and must be compatible with other vehicle systems.

Many accidents and near misses are blamed on “driver error” when in reality the root cause often is a lack of adequate vision. This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines the vision needs of drivers and encourages the commercial vehicle industry to develop standards that will ensure consistent, reliable, and functional solutions to the vision problems experienced with current trucks (even new models).

Future electrical systems encompass batteries, electronics and communication systems. Today’s battery system is a cost-effective solution. However, the trucking industry has expressed the need for further enhancements resulting in improved product performance, maintenance and safety, while meeting the increased demand for electrical energy in the parked and driving operational modes. Any improvements made should not adversely affect, and be compatible with, other systems.

This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines future performance requirements of retreaded tires and tire repairs according to fleet and end user descriptions of their needs and concerns. This will include all aspects of retread tires, tire repairs, and associated maintenance issues.

Issued: March 2005

Various combinations of technology developments are possible for future trailers. These possibilities may come about as future market forces evolve and bring about increased productivity at lower cost. Electric power, whether from batteries, and/or solar panels will likely displace gasoline or diesel-fueled refrigeration units. (This also may be true of auxiliary power units (APUs) for tractors). The overall potential is for lighter, quieter, more reliable and productive trailers contributing to reduced fuel burn by tractor-trailer combinations.

There are two parts to this exploration: a detailed timeline focused on items pertaining to transportation in general and trucking in particular, with explanatory notes for some entries at the end; and a survey of various pictures or scenarios of the future- the envi- ronment within which we, and those who come after us, will have to operate.

Issued: November 2002

Aggressive corrosion, caused by new formulations of road ice clearing chemicals, has recently become a serious maintenance problem for many equipment users. Use of magnesium chloride- and calcium chloride-based products by certain states is especially associated with increased incidence of corrosion on vehicles, causing damage in as little as a single winter season.